Holland America to Asia

The Asian cruise market continues to expand, with contemporary and luxury liners taking advantage of increased interest. Holland America, sitting between these two experiences, lets cruisers into Asia’s ancient landmarks, modern cities, and religious influences with two ships and overnight stays in major locations.

Traveling There

For western travelers taking an Asian cruise, Holland America departs from Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, or Osaka for several one-way and round-trip vacations. The MS Volendam and MS Zaandam, two modern, mid-sized vessels with quality food, culinary presentations, and personal service, handle the following itineraries:

Singapore to Australia: Explore Indonesia’s many islands and cultures. Beginning in this Southeast Asian metropolis, you’ll travel through Java, Bali, and Komodo and then cruise past the Great Barrier Reef once you reach Australia.

Southeast Asia: Itineraries varying in length take you to the region’s major cities and ports: Rangoon, Phuket, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Singapore, Ko Samui, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, and Hong Kong.

Far East to North America: Holland America’s East Asian itinerary takes you to Japan’s major ports – Yokohama, Hakodate, and Hokkaido – and then sails to Alaska and British Columbia.

Singapore or Hong Kong to Osaka: Trips beginning in Southeast Asia go to explore the sights of China, Japan, and South Korea: Shanghai, Beijing, Pusan, Osaka, and Nagasaki, depending on itinerary.

Passage to the Far East: Trips starting in Indonesia or Singapore then go across the Indian Ocean to various ports in India and the Middle East. Vessels then continue to travel through the world’s oceans to the Mediterranean Sea and to Rotterdam.

Treasures of the Pacific Rim: A trip starting in Florida and then passing through the Panama Canal goes on a tour of the world’s largest body of water. Experience the quintessential tropical islands of French Polynesia, get to know Australian culture, and then take a tour of Southeast and East Asia, with stops at Indonesia, Japanese, and Chinese ports.

Must-See Ports

Considering Holland America’s extensive presence in Asia, there’s more than one sight you’ve got to catch on your cruise. Of course, this varies with passengers: Some may marvel at the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, while others may find solace in a Chinese garden unchanged for 600 years.

Halong Bay: For those that don’t know, Halong Bay possesses one of the world’s most stunning natural wonders: 2,000 limestone islands in the shape of pillars, shaped by erosion over millions of years.

Hong Kong: China’s major city, once formerly a British colony, has turned into one of the country’s economic and cultural capitals with many markets for shopping, fashion destinations, and finance districts alongside places for ancient Chinese medicine and Buddhist temples.

Ko Samui: This port on the Gulf of Thailand has been described as one of the greenest in Southeast Asia. The island 400 miles from Bangkok is also home to the Big Buddha statue.

Nagasaki: The setting of Madame Butterfly sees Japanese and European influences coming together in a single location.

Shanghai: The world’s biggest city earns its distinction not just for being a bustling, vibrant port but for being a global center for technology, fashion, and finance. That doesn’t mean Shanghai’s a cultural void, however, and during your time in this port, you’ll notice modernity alongside ancient Chinese history.

Singapore: This island city dates back to World War II and has since turned into Southeast Asia’s cultural melting pot – close to Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia but further home to immigrants from China, India, and the Middle East.

Tokyo: Japan’s capital juxtaposes ancient history with modernity. This urban metropolis is the Japanese center for shopping, especially in Ginza, but close to several temples and the gardens of the Imperial Palace.

Beijing: China’s capital sits close to several historical landmarks, a must for any cruiser to see: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the facilities for the 2008 Olympic Games, and home to 24 emperors.

Get an intimate, in-depth view of Asia on board a Holland America cruise. Choose how you’ll see the Far East and then schedule your trip through Direct Line Cruises today.